My great grandmother was a member of the Minnesota Anishinaabe or Ojibwe Tribe and I remember her telling me this story as a kid! The story of the two wolves is an ancient tale that has been a part of the Native American tradition for generations. Although the exact two wolves’ story origin is unknown, historians typically attribute the tale to the Cherokee or the Lenape people.
The grandfather explains to his grandson that there are two wolves fighting within him, which is an image that serves as a metaphor for mans’ inner sense of conflict.
“I have a fight going on in me,” the old man said. “It’s taking place between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”
The grandfather looked at the grandson and went on. “The other embodies positive emotions. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. Both wolves are fighting to the death. The same fight is going on inside you and every other person, too.”
The grandson took a moment to reflect on this. At last, he looked up at his grandfather and asked, “Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee gave a simple reply. “The one you feed.”
What a powerful reminder of the fight that every human being must face. Regardless of the type of person you are or what kind of life you lead, you will find yourself battling two conflicting emotions at some point in your life. Whether the fight is between anger and peace or resentment and compassion, it’s important to recognize the conflicting feelings inside you and to feed the values and choices that matter most.
The Coming Week
Monday
No School
Tuesday
Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
Elementary Leadership Meeting 3:00-5:00
Wednesday
Brooke Vossler’s Birthday!
Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
SIW Art in the Meadow prep
Care Teams Meeting 2:30-3:15
Thursday
Counselor Celebration 8:00-3:00 Downtown
Friday
SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
Weekend
Train Your Brain Presentation for 3rd Grade 9:00-10:00
Congratulations to our new Deputy Superintendent! We are so lucky to have you championing leadership and the support of all students in Bend-La Pine Schools! (and I’m not just saying it because she will be my boss–ha-ha–it’s true!). We are proud of you Lisa!
Reminders:
Roger White support: Want to help? Click this link. or Venmo Patrick to help with a bike for Roger!
Inservice Week Certified work calendar for 24-25. (note–we will be talking about some required training for Instructional EAs on the 29th and 30th, that may influence your PD time. We’ll go over this at our May 28 Horizontal
Dibels Testing Dates: Here is the schedule. (make 12 stations, let them test all K-5 kids, clear schedules and make testing the priority)
ICCL Hiring: Please refer to this document on ICCL posting/hiring.
New Notes:
From Julie Walker, Curriculum and Instruction: Please share with your classified staff
Are you interested in helping to check-in, unpack and label our new Elementary Language Arts Curriculum? If so, we are hiring 7 internal classified employees to work for 2+ weeks from July 29th-August 9th. If you would like to apply to be a part of this team follow these steps:
login to UKG
Go to 3 bars at top
click on my info
click on my career
click on search for jobs
search for “Language Arts Materials Distribution”
click on Apply Now
Please reach out to Julie Walker with any questions you have.
Wonders Recycling–PDF of the two pages below is here.It needs to be printed and posted in important locations in your school. You can also send it to staff as a pdf. Let’s work on our sustainable practices in BLS as we get ready to transition to a new curriculum!
From Jenny White, Life and Career Readiness: Planning and Prioritizing Collections in Wayfinder: Enhance students’ organizational and time management skills with this collection of activities and lessons. Through planning templates, prioritization exercises, and goal-setting strategies, students will learn how to effectively manage their tasks, responsibilities, and commitments. These resources promote efficiency, accountability, and a balanced approach to academic and personal life.
Directions on how to find the collections on Wayfinder
From Scott in IT: CHANGE IN i-PAD information. A majority of schools were slated for either a complete swap of their student iPads or were going to be receiving replacements for 6th and 7th gen iPads. This swap is currently on hold. A purchase is still anticipated, but the timeline has changed. The determining factors for this delay are:
**Moving to the next generation of iPad involves investment in peripheral technology that is greater than anticipated – namely keyboard and headphone adaptors.
**Logistical and instructional considerations that may impact school locations that actually need to swap devices.
At this time, plan on your roll-in to continue as planned outside of any devices being retired. iPads will need to be stored like in years past by student last name, next year’s teacher, etc. The Tier 1 website will reflect these changes as soon as possible. Please reach out to your building’s IT Client Services tech, a fellow Tier 1 or Roy Fuller for help or idea’s for rolling in. For a quick reference see below for all Elementary iPads:
o K-4th grade iPads will stay with the current student
o 5th grade will roll down to incoming KG
We will continue to remove any 6th gen iPads that have issues or swap any 6th or 7th gen iPad for a student who needs a newer device for OCR support as we’ve always done. High Schools will continue to receive 9th gens as replacements to keep device types consistent.
From Tammy and Lisa:
School Counselor Celebrations, May 30 in the board room. We are looking forward to seeing every school represented who currently have counselors and hoping that even those who do not, will come see the great work that our counselors are doing, knowing that next year, all elementary schools will have some level of counseling. What a celebration! Hats off to Jennifer Hauth, for her steadfast work in making this happen for our students.
Important Dates
May 28: Horizontal Meeting @ Rosland 3:00-5:00 (Please add in travel time, as we will be starting on time)
I want to give you another song breakdown. I would love it if you would listen to this song while thinking about that angry child in your classroom, who got the shaft when It comes to a loving, supportive family. They do not know how to process the incoming stimuli and I think this song captures some of those feelings
No one knows what it’s like To be the bad man To be the sad man Behind blue eyes And no one knows what it’s like To be hated To be fated to telling only lies
I know it is hard to imagine that there are students who truly feel hated and home. They really believe they are alone and that no one knows what it is like… They lie as a mechanism to protect themselves. I know you see it sometimes when you ask a question and their quick first response is a lie, even about things that don’t matter. That is not calculated but a reaction, a learned reaction.
But my dreams they aren’t as empty As my conscience seems to be I have hours, only lonely My love is vengeance That’s never free
Sometimes we look at these kids and think, “they don’t feel anything”, “they are always angry”. What do they someday dream to do? Everyone Dreams! So many kids have unconditional love, but… for others love is conditional. “If you do this, you will be loved and if you do that you won’t”. Everything becomes a transaction. Transactional love is impossible; you can never do enough and your head is always on a swivel.
No one knows what it’s like To feel these feelings Like I do And I blame you (you, you, you) No one bites back as hard On their anger None of my pain and woe Can show through
This is why I always try not to take things personally when kids say hurtful things to me. They need someone to blame and sometimes it is easier to blame the people who care because they show emotion and they get the reaction of someone who cares back. I can’t imagine the pain that some of these kids hold in. You know the kid that comes everyday with a smile and you just cannot figure out why. They work so hard to not let it show in their happy place… Many successfully hold in their anger, while feeling alone in their pain. What do they dream of?
But my dreams they aren’t as empty As my conscience seems to be I have hours, only lonely My love is vengeance That’s never free
No one knows what it’s like To be mistreated, to be defeated Behind blue eyes And no one knows how to say That they’re sorry and don’t worry I’m not telling lies
I think this is the most powerful stanza in the song. I think we all can relate on some level to the things these kids are going through, some of us even through personal experience. “I’m sorry, don’t worry, and I’m not telling lies.” How powerful is it to hear that? I know we can’t always give to every child. We just don’t have it to give at times. I know some of these students drain us and make it hard to have empathy, compassion and understanding in the moment, but we have to. It is our calling, our purpose! What do they Dream about?
But my dreams, they aren’t as empty As my conscience seems to be I have hours, only lonely My love is vengeance That’s never free
When my fist clenches, crack it open Before I use it and lose my cool When I smile, tell me some bad news Before I laugh and act like a fool And if I swallow anything evil Put your finger down my throat And if I shiver, please give me a blanket Keep me warm, let me wear your coat
I feels like a daily task to “break open clenched fists”, or bring kids back from the point of no return. How often do we see kids who don’t smile or the ones that are worried they will look like a fool? How do we give the metaphorical “blanket” or “coat”? That reassurance that lets them know that we got them in that moment!
No one knows what it’s like To be the bad man To be the sad man Behind blue eyes
The Coming Week
Monday
Camp Tamarack for 5th Grade (Ben Out)
Tuesday
Camp Tamarack for 5th Grade (Amanda Out)
Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
Wednesday
Camp Tamarack for 5th Grade
Tonya Myers’ Birthday!
Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
SIW Lexia 1:00-2:30
Thursday
Kinder Orientation 5:30-6:30
Friday
SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
Weekend
May 25 Chris Hill’s Birthday!
May 26 Josh Hayden’s Birthday!
UPCOMING DATES:
May 27 No School
May 28 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
May 28 Elementary Leadership Meeting 3:00-5:00
May 29 Brooke Vossler’s Birthday!
May 29 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
May 29 SIW Art in the Meadow prep
May 29 Care Teams Meeting 2:30-3:15
May 30 Counselor Celebration 8:00-3:00 Downtown
May 31 Train Your Brain Presentation for 3rd Grade 9:00-10:00
May 31 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
Updates from Downtown
Who has voted? So far, 14 percent of Deschutes County voters have returned their ballots for the May 21 primary election, which includes measure 9-167, the Learning Levy for Bend-La Pine Schools.
Election Day is just one week from today! If you haven’t voted yet, now is the time to mark and return your ballot. You can mail it or drop it off at one of the county’s ballot drop boxes, located here: deschutes.org/clerk/page/ballot-drop-box-locations
If you need more information about the 5-year Learning Levy, please visit bls.fyi/levy.
Do Now:
Please add one last effort to your families to encourage everyone to vote. The levy page has information about the levy as well as videos that you may want to share with others to increase information access. LEVY VIDEO
For those of you who have a reader board at your site, please put up a levy message to stay up between now Tuesday, Election Day. Thank you!
Please meet with your 5th grade teachers and take this survey by Wednesday regarding Camp Tamarack. We need your input to move forward. Thanks!
Reminders:
Curriculum checklists: Consider attaching these to your school’s checkout list so that everyone has what they need as they start the year in the fall. The documents live here: Curriculum Checklists Folder.
Lewis and Clark Admin Cohort: If you know of anyone who is interested in starting their administrative (Principal) licensure program this next fall please share the flyer below with them. Flier for more information.
Packing Up Wonders: Please refrain from boxing any hardbound books as we are finalizing a specialized box for shipment to a recycling facility in Vancouver. If books are already boxed, please leave them as is until the next steps are finalized. Soft-cover books and paper product manipulatives can be recycled in the large blue co-mingle bins or go home with students. Please start this process early so as to not overload the carts.
From Scott in IT: Bend-La Pine Schools IT is rolling out a security change to staff Macs that you may need to be aware of if you have installed personal software on your Mac.
If you run into any issues with this process, you can contact the IT Help Desk at ext. 1200 or open an IT support ticket at https://help.bend.k12.or.us
TBD: Last Horizontal meeting/celebration of the year will be rescheduled! Stay tuned!
And finally…
Give some extra kuddos to our Speech and Language Pathologists this month! May is a time to celebrate their often unseen, but so important work! Thank you SLPs!
Finding your purpose in life can be an exciting journey of self-discovery! It’s totally normal for your “why” to change over time, and that’s a good thing because it means you’re growing and evolving. A great way to start uncovering your new purpose is to take some time to reflect on what lights you up, what you’re passionate about, and what makes you come alive. Ask yourself things like:
What do I care deeply about? What brings me joy? What causes or issues am I naturally drawn to?
As you gain a better understanding of these things, start thinking about how they align with different goals, projects, or activities in your life. Don’t be afraid to try new things, talk to people who inspire you, volunteer, and seek out the advice and mentorship of those who have achieved what you’d like to achieve. Remember, finding your purpose is a process and it may take time, so be kind and patient with yourself. Keep pushing forward, because the best is yet to come!
The Coming Week
Monday
Emily Winchester’s Birthday!
Staff Meeting 2:30-3:15
Tuesday
Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
Care Teams Meeting 2:30-3:15
Wednesday
Lisa Bjorback’s Birthday!
Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
SIW Teacher Prep
Admin PD 2:00-5:00
Thursday
MTSS Rotations 2:30-3:15
Friday
SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
UPCOMING DATES:
May 20 Camp Tamarack for 5th Grade
May 21 Camp Tamarack for 5th Grade
May 21 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
May 22 Camp Tamarack for 5th Grade
May 22 Tonya Myers’ Birthday!
May 22 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
May 22 SIW Lexia 1:00-2:30
May 23 Kinder Orientation 5:30-6:30
May 24 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
May 25 Chris Hill’s Birthday!
May 26 Josh Hayden’s Birthday!
May 27 No School
May 28 Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
May 28 Elementary Leadership Meeting 3:00-5:00
May 29 Brooke Vossler’s Birthday!
May 29 Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
May 29 SIW Art in the Meadow prep
May 29 Care Teams Meeting 2:30-3:15
May 30 Counselor Celebration 8:00-3:00 Downtown
May 31 Train Your Brain Presentation for 3rd Grade 9:00-10:00
May 31 SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
Updates from Downtown
Reminders:
Give the Middle School Transition and Math Bypass Testing for 5th grade
From Roy Fuller in IT re: iPads. We’ve almost reached the end of another school year. Always funny how slow it seems to go, until May hits and it’s all about over. Even if we’ve had fresh snow fall! I’m reaching out to give everyone some updates to the questions some of you have been asking. Our Tier 1 website has been updated with the latest information regarding the end of year plan when it comes to iPads. We will removing all the remaining 6th/7th gen iPads from school’s this summer. The breakdown should look like this for the fall of 2024:
· High Schools – 9th gen iPads
· Middle Schools – 8th and 9th gen iPads
· Elementary Schools – 8th, 9th 10th gen iPads
We will be introducing the 10th gen iPads into 10 schools for next year. Swapping out the entire school will make it easier since those iPads have USB-C only charging port (lightning port is gone), plus are slightly larger than the previous gen iPads. The 8th/9th gen iPads from the schools we are swapping out will roll out to the remaining elementary schools to remove their 6th/7th gen iPads. For the schools listed below, please follow the Roll-In Overview on the Roll-In Elementary page (top of the page). The schools receiving 10th gen iPads include:
Elk Meadow
Pine Ridge
Miller
Lava Ridge
Ponderosa
Buckingham
RE Jewell
Highland
Three Rivers (K-8)
Westside Village (K-8)
For the remaining elementary schools you’ll find your Roll-In Overview listed below the schools receiving new iPads. Please read through for helpful information and slideshows that can be followed in the classrooms, or library when it comes time to turn in the iPads. Included for all is a helpful checklist, station signs and an iPad Inspection form if needed. Some of you received a full school swap with 9th gens last year, so you won’t be swapping out anything. Those that didn’t will be swapping out 6th/7th gen iPads for new to them 8th/9th gen iPads.
All middle schools will be turning in their iPads at the end of the year. Your roll-in overview can be found on our Roll-In for Secondary page. The information on that page should help answer questions you might have, with slideshows that can be used with the teachers or in the library depending on how your school plans their roll-in.
High schools will run the same like previous years. Students will be keeping their iPads over the summer outside of 12th graders who’s iPads will be collected and rolled down to incoming 9th graders. The overview of that process can be found on the Roll-In for Secondary page below the middle school’s information.
Please review all the information on our Tier 1 page for spring iPad information and talk with your client services tech to start planning. I believe some of you have already dug in with the planning process and hopefully with the information provided that will help fill in the any missing pieces. Feel free to reach out directly to me if you have any questions. Enjoy the warming trend headed our way finally! Thanks everyone for another great year.
From Jackie in Sustainability: Thank You!! A big shoutout to everyone involved in the Walk and Roll to school day—staff, students, admin, PTO, and Commute Options—for making our Spring Walk and Roll to School Day an absolute blast! Across our 19 schools, 13 reported to provide data for 105 classes. Big shout out to Pine Ridge and Ponderosa for the most classes reporting. Here’s the breakdown: 334 students walked, 270 biked or rolled, 324 used the bus, and 1,190 arrived by car.
From Colleen and Josh in Special Programs: 504 Training
From Stuart in HR re: Job Posting and Hiring. Elementary Pool postings have gone live and we have reduced the postings to only 4 pools. We have added a sort feature to sort by location, so you can sort by people who apply for Sunriver and La Pine as well as Bend.
1.0 FTE K-2 Classroom Teacher–Regular1.0 FTE K-2 Classroom Teacher – Temporary1.0 FTE 3-5 Classroom Teacher – Regular1.0 FTE 3-5 Classroom Teacher – Temporary Within the application, there is a question asking the candidate to select locations where they would be willing work and they can choose Bend, Sunriver, and La Pine.
From Tammy and Lisa:
Lewis and Clark Admin Cohort: If you know of anyone who is interested in starting their administrative (Principal) licensure program this next fall in an all in-person, small cohort, central Oregon focused program, please share the flyer below with them. All instructors are central Oregon leaders. Please also share with your principals or other leaders who would know teachers who might be interested. Flier for more information.
We will be holding an information session: Thursday, May 23, 2024, 4:30-5:30 at the HDESD in the Cascades Conference Room
Please let Lora, Lisa or Paul Andrews at the ESD know if you have any questions.
Important Dates
May 15: Monthly Admin PD at Mountain View High School, 3:00-4:30
May 15: Excellence in Education right after admin meeting at MVHS
Dibels Testing Dates: Here is the schedule. (make 12 stations, let them test all K-5 kids, clear schedules and make testing the priority)
New Notes:
From Colleen FunderburgRe: Acadience Math Benchmark Testing
As we gear up for the spring reading DIBELS schedule (starting May 9th), let’s seize this opportunity to complete Acadience math assessments!
📚📽️ Resources:
Access our digital scoring materials through the provided link here.
For a quick refresher on administering the test, we’ve embedded helpful instructional videos right here.
Need additional booklets? Contact Lisa McNulty in Student Services
🙋♂️🙋🏽♀️ Support: Remember, our dedicated Student Services Coaches are just a message away! Whether you have questions, need assistance with materials, or require help entering scores post-assessment, they’re here to ensure your experience is seamless.
From Brad Henry Re: Pace, More than Just Insurance
Many of you are aware that our property, liability, auto, cyber and other insurance is provided by an insurance pool, Pace. Pace was formed in 2006 by the Oregon School Boards Assoc and Special Districts Assoc of Oregon. With the exception of three large school districts, all school districts and community colleges in Oregon are members of the pool. This unique insurance structure not only provides for great coverage when there are claims but also allows Pace and these two organizations to provide many risk prevention strategies, trainings and tools across risks like cybersecurity, playground safety, athletics, and CTE classrooms. One area that cannot receive enough attention and resources is the prevention of abuse, including sexual abuse.
Sexual abuse prevention education is crucial for all students and staff, despite its discomfort. Empowering district employees with the knowledge and skills to protect students’ physical and mental well-being is paramount. Understanding signs of potential abuse, recognizing grooming behaviors, and responding effectively are critical roles employees play in fostering a safe learning environment. When employees are well-informed about prevention strategies, it promotes transparency, communication, and collaboration, strengthening relationships within the school community and enhancing overall safeguarding measures.
If you would like more information, please visit the Pace website for lots of information and tools regarding sexual abuse prevention and reporting requirements. While on the website, check out the other items available on the “resources” tab at the top of the page. You can find District policy GBNAB/JHFE-BP on Suspected Abuse of a Child Reporting Requirements here and District Administrative Regulation GBNAB/JHFE-AR on Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse here.
Thanks for all you do to help create an environment where students and staff can thrive!
Instructional coaches will only be in buildings on Tuesdays and Thursdays during May and June. They will be busy prepping for summer professional learning!!
Life and Career Readiness with Jenny White: Help students navigate the complexities of friendships with this collection of lessons and activities. It offers guidance on resolving conflicts and cultivating healthy and supportive friendships.
How to find the Navigating Friendships Collections in Wayfinder.
NATIONAL SCHOOL NURSE DAY IS WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2024!!!
Nurses practicing in the school setting play such a crucial role in keeping students healthy and safe. Please take a moment to honor the nurse in your school for their dedication and hard work with supporting students, staff, and families.
Architects in School Summer Opportunities. Please share with families! I am excited to share some architecture and design related resources and opportunities with you, in hopes that you will spread the word to your network of families, students, educators and more!
Virtual Architects in Schools Summer Camp (designed for youth ages 8-12)
Please help us in sharing our Architects in Schools Summer Camp information (see attached English and Spanish flyer). Our virtual camp held from June 24-28 is free and designed for youth ages 8-12. During this camp, students will learn about the benefits of adaptive reuse and how the built environment must evolve with cultural, societal, and environmental changes. They will take on the role of an architect and builder to redesign a structure for their community. Learn more here or through the link in the attached flyer. Register by June 14 to participate (Oregon residents can request a free supply box by June 7).
2024 Summer Camp Catalog (for students K-College)
There are several great camps for Oregon students to explore design this summer (including our Architects in Schools Camp, NOMA PDX’s Project Pipeline, ELSO’s Wayfinders and more) and we have compiled those opportunities into our 2024 Summer Camp Catalog (please see PDF attachments, English and Spanish version). Registration deadlines are approaching soon. Here are the weblinks in case those are easier for you to share: English Catalog, Spanish Catalog.
Oregon Student Opportunities Hub (for students K-College)
Our Hub is a resource for students, Kindergarten through Post-Secondary, to explore architecture, engineering, construction, and design opportunities across Oregon. This includes programs, camps, internships, scholarships, events, and more. Check it out and share with a student!
Please let me know if I can supply you with anything else to help spread the word. Thank you and have a great rest of the school year! Candice Agahan (she/her). Education Program Manager, [email protected]. work: 503-542-3823. cell: 858-243-8720
From Walt and Jackie (Custodial and Sustainability). Thank you for your patience as we work on retiring/removal of the Wonders Curriculum books. Please refrain from boxing any hardbound books as we are finalizing a specialized box for shipment to a recycling facility in Vancouver. If books are already boxed, please leave them as is until the next steps are finalized. Soft-cover books and paper product manipulatives can be recycled in the large blue co-mingle bins or go home with students. Please start this process early so as to not overload the carts. Thank you for your cooperation.
From Tammy and Lisa:
Self Care: We are in the middle of the long stretch to the end. It’s important to take care of yourself. You know the ol’ adage, you can’t pour from an empty cup? Here are some self-care tips—are you able to do 2-3 of these on a daily basis? Remember, don’t live to work, but rather, work to live!
Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can boost your mood and improve your health. …
Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. …
Make sleep a priority. …
Try a relaxing activity. …
Set goals and priorities. …
Practice gratitude. …
Focus on positivity. …
Stay connected.
….and more!
Important Dates
May 4: Official Star Wars Day—May the 4th be with you!
May 6-May 10: Teacher Appreciation Week!
May 8: Deputy Superintendent Forum in the Board Room 5-6 dinner, 6-7 Forum
May 15: Monthly Admin PD at Perseverance Hall, 3:00-4:30
June 15-16: Juneteenth Community Celebration in Drake Park
And finally…
Help! Please reach out to your friends and family connections within the community to help find a house to rent for Beth Martin and family. Beth is our newest administrator who will be leading North Star next year and they are on their way….but are struggling to find something to rent. Preferably a 3+ bedroom, 2+bath (family of 5), and a yard for a 4 legged friend! You can email Beth any leads at [email protected].
